Best of business

AIRDRIE BUSINESS AWARDS

CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES

BY STACIE GAETZ

“We love Airdrie business, and we want people to share their stories, their victories and their perspective while celebrating small business in Airdrie and recognizing the cream of the crop”

It may be more important than ever to recognize a local business for doing an exceptional job.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses has been devastating with many struggling to stay afloat and others losing the battle.

Those that pulled through have shown incredible tenacity, resourcefulness and ingenuity to keep their staff employed and customers happy.

The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce invites the public to recognize, celebrate and support businesses’ hard work and resulting success by nominating a local business for the 2020 Airdrie Business Awards (ABA).

“Businesses truly are the backbone of a healthy community,” says Marilyne Aalhus, executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.

“When businesses struggle a community struggles, when businesses succeed a community succeeds. COVID-19 has damaged our economy and many local businesses have suffered. We need to work together to support those businesses any way we can. The ABAs are just a small way to say thank you and to celebrate all that businesses do for Airdrie, now more than ever.”

The awards are in their 22nd year and offer seven award categories. This year will feature a new adjudication process that allows the community to vote on the finalists once they are announced this September.

According to Aalhus, a third-party adjudicator will narrow down the finalists by reviewing their online submissions. They will also vote on the winners, which will consist of 50 per cent of the total vote.

Finalists will be announced on Sept. 8 and the community will have an opportunity to vote for one month on the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce website (airdriechamber.ab.ca). The community vote will be worth the other 50 per cent.

“We love Airdrie business, and we want people to share their stories, their victories and their perspective while celebrating small business in Airdrie and recognizing the cream of the crop,” says Aalhus.

“The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host this premier business event, held during Small Business Week, and will look forward to celebrating local business at the awards gala.”

All winners will be announced at the awards gala, at either the Bert Church Theatre or through a virtual event on Oct. 23. Tickets will be available for purchase in early September.

“This is your way to say thank you to our local businesses. Nominating a business only takes a few minutes and it truly is a wonderful way to recognize the work that they do in our community,” says Aalhus.

2020 AIRDRIE BUSINESS AWARD CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

Business of the Year Award - Awarded to a business that has been operating for at least three years; that best exhibits outstanding achievement in innovative practices, customer service and growth; and actively participates in the community. Airdrie Business Leader Award Christelle Hitimana Uwamahoro, Business Innovation Award Emerging Business Award Employer Excellence AwardVIRTUAL TOUR360˚ 2019 Business Innovation Award winner. Photo courtesy of ABA Franchise Business Award Legacy Business AwardWATCH VIDEO READ MORE